On This Date in Minnesota History: February 3

February 3, 2008 – Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty declared this day, February 3, Immortal Four Chaplains Day in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 10.56 which designates the day in honor of four United States Army chaplains, George L. Fox, Alexander D. Goode, Clark V. Poling, and John P. Washington, who sacrificed their lives to save the lives of other service personnel while serving on the U.S.S. Dorchester, a United States Army troop transport that was sunk off the coast of Greenland on February 3, 1943.

The following is the text of the Governor’s official proclamation:

WHEREAS: February 3, 2008, is the 65th anniversary of the tragic sinking of the United States Army transport DORCHESTER off the coast of Greenland, an event that resulted in the loss of nearly 700 lives in 1943. Witnesses of the event have recounted in the Congressional Record the heroism and self-sacrifice of four chaplains of different faiths: Lt. George L. Fox, Methodist; Lt. Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lt. John P. Washington, Catholic; and Lt. Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed; and

WHEREAS: Witnesses have verified that during the approximate 18 minutes the ship was sinking after being torpedoed, the four chaplains went from soldier to soldier calming fears and handing out lifejackets while guiding men to safety. When there were no more life jackets to give, they removed their own and gave them to others to save their lives. The chaplains were last seen arm-in-arm in prayer on the ship’s hull; and

WHEREAS: Many of the 230 men who survived owed their lives to these four chaplains. Their unique interfaith spirit and love for their fellowmen was memorialized by the United States Postal Service on a popular 1948 postage stamp with the title: “These Immortal Chaplains – Interfaith in Action”; and

WHEREAS: Congress in 1957 passed a Concurrent Resolution to honor these Immortal Chaplains and the men who died with them, and Presidents Truman and Eisenhower issued similar proclamations calling for national recognition and participation in memorial services throughout the land to be, observed annually by the American Legion and others on the first Sunday in February; and

WHEREAS: Congress created a special Medal of Valor in memory of the four chaplains in 1960, never to be repeated. The United States did pass a unanimous resolution on the first day of the 2nd Session of the 105th Congress, January 27, 1998, designating February 3 as “Four Chaplains Day,” which was co-authored by U.S. Senator Rod Grams, of Minnesota, and a similar bill passed unanimously in the Minnesota State Legislature at that same time; and

WHEREAS: The first Sunday in February is recognized nationally by many congregations and by the American Legion as “Four Chaplains Sunday,” and the historic Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel has a permanent memorial in stained glass depicting the compassion of the Four Chaplains and has commemorated this memorial service for decades.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM PAWLENTY, Governor of the State of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim that Sunday, February 3, 2008, shall be observed as: IMMORTAL FOUR CHAPLAINS DAY in the State of Minnesota as an example of compassion for those of different race or faith, and that flags on State office buildings shall be flown at half-staff in honor of this day.

http://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/2010/other/101583/www.governor.state.mn.us/priorities/governorsorders/flagsathalfstaff/2008/PROD008659.html

Marker found on Minnesota Capitol grounds:

Greatest love hath no man than a man who lays down his life for another.

On February 3, 1943 when the Troop Transport U.S.S. DORCHESTER was torpedoed off the coast of Greenland, the order was given to abandon ship. The troops were sent over the side. Four soldiers with no life-vests were left standing on the sinking ship. Without a moments hesitation the four chaplains gave up their vests. As the ship began to sink into the freezing waters of the Atlantic, the Chaplains clasped hands and prayed together…

The Four Chaplains were:
Rev. Fox, Father Washington, Rabbi Goode, and Rev. Pohling…

United Veterans Council of Ramsey County

1985

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain Feb. 3, 2013,
as long as acknowledgement included.